Description
Hearty pioneer woman chicken cordon bleu casserole combines classic French-inspired ingredients with midwestern comfort. Cheesy layers and crispy breadcrumbs make this dish a satisfying meal you’ll want to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken cutlets
- ½ cup (120 ml) diced ham
- 1 ½ tsps kosher salt, divided
- ¾ tsp ground black pepper, divided
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 tbsps plus 2 tsps salted butter, divided (plus additional for greasing)
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 g) grated Swiss cheese, divided
- 1 cup (240 g) grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Heat oven to 375°F and generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish to prevent adherence.
- Chicken Searing: Season chicken cutlets and quickly sear in a skillet over medium heat until golden, working in batches with minimal butter to maintain a light exterior without full cooking.
- Ham and Sauce Base: Caramelize ham pieces in the same skillet, then create a velvety roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually stream milk and chicken broth, incorporating optional cayenne for subtle warmth. Simmer until sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Cheese Integration: Remove sauce from heat and fold in Dijon mustard, Swiss and mozzarella cheeses until completely melted and uniformly combined. Season with remaining salt and pepper for balanced flavor.
- Layering Technique: Spread initial cheese sauce across baking dish bottom, arrange slightly overlapping chicken cutlets, then cascade remaining cheese sauce over the top. Generously sprinkle additional cheese for maximum coverage.
- Crispy Topping: Combine panko breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, and melted butter to create a crunchy garnish. Distribute evenly across casserole surface for textural contrast.
- Baking and Serving: Bake for 25-30 minutes until topping transforms to golden brown and edges bubble enthusiastically. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately alongside steamed rice and green beans for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Sear Strategically: Lightly brown chicken cutlets without fully cooking to maintain tenderness and prevent drying out during baking.
- Roux Technique: Cooking flour in butter creates a rich, smooth base for the cheese sauce, eliminating raw flour taste and ensuring proper thickening.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a silky, creamy consistency.
- Crispy Topping Trick: Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and herbs to create a golden, crunchy layer that adds texture and flavor to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 100mg